Dealing With Dry Eye Irritation 

By Adrian Whittle 

A frequent complaint that eye doctors will come across is dry eye irritation. Many people have this problem to the extent that they will seek help from their doctor or an eye specialist. The problem stems from problems with tears or the tear duct and is known as dry eye syndrome. This article will look at the syndrome and suggest some possible ways to treat it.

Typical Symptoms

Dry eye irritation is normally a burning or stinging sensation. The eyes could be itchy and feel scratchy when moving under the eye lids. Irritation can be started by environmental conditions such as air pollution or exposure to bad weather conditions such as winds and storms. Irritation may also be caused by some obstruction on the surface of the eye like wearing contact lenses.

It may sound like a contradiction, but another sign of dry eyes could be watery eyes. The surface of the eye is kept moist by the tear ducts. If the eyes are dry there is a possibility that the tears ducts compensate for this dryness by producing more tears. This can flood the drainage system of your eyes causing watery eyes and irritation.

Treating Dry Eyes

Using eye drops is the first treatment that a person may try. This is not so much solving the problem but giving relief for dry eyes. Many brands of eye drops can be bought at pharmacies without a prescription. However, if the dry eyes persist then it is probably a good idea to see your doctor.
Being exposed to dry or smoky environments will cause dry eyes. If your eyes are sensitive to this then avoid places where these conditions are prevalent. Many bars may be smoky and windy conditions can dry out the eyes. By putting humidifiers in your home you can relieve dry eyes. Humidifiers put water into the air and clear out smoke.

Further Examination

Dry eyes can be diagnosed by a visual examination from your eye doctor or specialist. However more rigorous tests might be carried out to establish the extent of the condition and how the tear ducts are working. Special drops may be used to confirm dry patches on the eyes surface which could identify the cause and any other eye problems.

Causes of Dry Eye Irritation

As we get older the mechanism of the eyes become more worn and weaker. This is the same for tear production and is the major cause for dry eyes. Decreased tear production could be due to changes in hormonal secretion. Menopause is often a time when women may get dry eyes.

Using artificial tears or eye drops can generally help the condition and is a good interim solution for dry eyes. However, if the problem persists it is worth examining your lifestyle. It could be a poor diet, a lack of exercise, stress at work, insomnia, working too hard or medications that you are taking that may exert influence over tear production. A doctor you may be able to help pinpoint where the problems lies by asking you a few questions about your lifestyle and when the condition most often occurs.

Prevention is always better than needing to cure an eye disorder, visit [http://www.eyecareinsight.com] for tips and advice on how to care for your eyes properly. The site has features on the services offered by Vision World Eye Care [http://www.eyecareinsight.com/eye-care/vision-world-eye-care-%e2%80%93-quality-provider-of-eye-care-services-20/] and laser eye surgery in Oklahoma City [http://www.eyecareinsight.com/laser-eye-surgery/laser-eye-surgery-in-oklahoma-city-19/]. Adrian Whittle writes on eye health and care.

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